Calling all Pokémon trainers and trading card fanatics – Singapore is getting a dedicated space for you to battle it out, and it’s the first of its kind in the world. The Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe, opening at *SCAPE on 18th January 2026, is an official venue fully dedicated to Pokémon, unlike other game shops that cater to all types of trading card games (TCG).
Just last year in August, the first Pokémon TCG Gym opened in Guangzhou. This one at *SCAPE is a Deluxe version of that gym; what additions does a “deluxe” version of the gym bring? No clue. But still, here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *Scape.
Don’t fret, even if you have zero experience with Pokémon cards or being a Pokémon trainer. After all, even Ash Ketchum started out as a noob. At the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *SCAPE, there will be New Trainer Journey sessions meant to guide you to becoming the very best like no one ever was.
Image credit: Pokémon Singapore
Each New Trainer Journey experience first starts with a Trial Battle. You don’t need to own any cards or a deck, as the trainers will provide you with all you need. There are 2 battles you can choose from as your tutorial: the Basic Battle and the Mega Evolution Demo Battle.
The Basic Battle comes with a 30-card deck that, as its name suggests, covers the basics of the Pokémon TCG with a simplified ruleset just to give you the vibe of how the game works. The Mega Evolution Demo Battle, on the other hand, throws you into the deep end with a 60-card deck with Mega Pokémon cards included. This is better for those who have some experience with trading card games and want to level up their skills.
After successfully battling it out, participants will be gifted 2 sets of Basic Battle Decks with 30 cards, a large metallic coin, a set of paper damage counters, a rule booklet, and a half-sized playmat to take home. Get more premium loot, like a deck box and card sleeves, by creating a Trainers Website account and following the official Trainers Facebook profile.
Once you’re done with the trial battle, you’ll get a voucher to trade for a Pokémon-themed tote bag at the Pokémon TCG Gym.
If you’ve been on the fence about buying a Nintendo Switch 2 or the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game, the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe will let you try the game for free. The game itself is the latest in the Pokémon series and was released just a few months ago in October 2025. One difference is that it uses real-time combat instead of the turn-based battles you might know from older Pokémon games.
Image credit: Pokémon Singapore
When your battles are won, treat yourself to some official Pokémon merchandise at the store. From plushies to building block toy sets and even boxes of cards to open, you can rest assured that all the merch at the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe is licensed and legit.
Even though you might not be well-versed in trading card games, the Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe at *SCAPE has plenty to offer beyond card battles. Plus, it’s still a fun new hangout whether you grew up hunting Shiny Pokémon on your Game Boy or accumulated thousands of steps thanks to Pokémon Go. After all, everyone is there to celebrate Pokémon.
On top of the TCG games, the venue will also feature a Pokémon MEZASTAR corner, as well as a Pokémon Gym Battle for you to put your battling skills to the test. Pokémon trainers who have an artistic eye can also pick up some Pokémon TCG colouring sheets to fill in between battles. The Pokémon TCG Gym Deluxe will be open on 18th January 2026 from 11am-9pm.
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Cover image credit: Pokémon Singapore
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